Mayor María José Catalá's initial announcement stated that 60 officers would be immediately incorporated and a hundred new positions would be created in the 2026 public employment call. However, two months later, these new positions will not represent an absolute increase but rather a compensation for the significant wave of retirements the council faces.
The City Council internally acknowledges the need to expedite selection processes to ensure the "operational capacity" of the Local Police. The process includes physical and psychotechnical tests, an exam, followed by training at IVASPE and practical experience in the assigned municipality. The positions will be divided into 30 for mobility and 70 for open entry, with 30% reserved for women.
The communication from the councilor responsible for personnel, Julia Climent, highlights the importance of early planning to avoid staffing gaps and maintain public service. The call aims for the new recruits to overlap with the planned retirements.
From Compromís, councilor Ferran Puchades believes the mayor's announcement constitutes a "fraud to the citizens," as more officers are not being immediately incorporated, nor is the promise to integrate those who previously passed selection tests being fulfilled. Puchades criticizes that the announcement was made to "gain headlines" before consulting its legality.
Furthermore, it is recalled that the PP and Vox parties have approved a reform in the Corts (Valencian Parliament) that will allow up to 20% of the announced positions to be reserved for military personnel, a measure that, according to Puchades, will "further restrict the possibility for young people to access the Local Police".
